neigh

[ney]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter the cry of a horse; whinny.

noun

1. the cry of a horse; whinny.

neigh

/ neɪ /

noun

1. the high-pitched cry of a horse; whinny

verb

1. (intr) to make a neigh or a similar noise

2. (tr) to utter with a sound like a neigh

Word History and Origins

Origin of neigh¹

before 1000; Middle English ney ( gh ) en, Old English hnǣgan, cognate with Middle Dutch neyen, Old Saxon hnēgian, Middle High German nēgen, Old High German hneigen, Old Norse hneggja; akin to Old Saxon hnechian; Middle Dutch nighen, Middle Low German nigen, Middle High German nyhen; and, with intrusion in the initial, Old Norse gneggja, Norwegian kneggja. See nag ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of neigh¹

Old English hnǣgan; related to Old Saxon hnēgian

Example Sentences

“I hear voices shouting, a sharp crack of the whip, horses neighing in protest, the clatter of hooves, the skid of carriage wheels, the Incorrigibles calling, ‘Lumawoo’—whoops!”

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Across from them in their usual stalls stood the eight neighing horses.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A little ways back, a horse neighed loudly.

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Horses neighed in terror, dogs stared into space, transfixed by the tremors, and in Central Park, an Egyptian obelisk “trembled from apex to pedestal,” according to a New York Times article dated Aug. 11, 1884.

Read more on New York Times

Eardrums drenched in the whirring neighs of 1,000 mechanical horses.

Read more on BBC